By JIM BUTLER

To receive and consider the mayor’s veto message. Alexandria City Council posted agenda, Dec. 16.

Receive and consider mayor’s veto message. Jules Green motion to override, second Malcolm Larvadain. Motion fails. Minutes, Dec. 16.

To receive and consider the mayor’s veto message. Posted Agenda, May 5.

After being told by the City Clerk that the message cannot be discussed without adding to posted agenda, motion to add vetoed ordinance fails. Minutes, May 5. 

Public bodies must post an agenda no later than 24 hours before a meeting. Adding an item at a meeting requires unanimous vote. 

At Tuesday’s Legal Affairs Committee meeting Councilman at-large Jules Green attempted to get an understanding of the difference in the two boldface items above. 

He asked attorney Trey Gist what changed between December and May in the process for taking up a veto. He did not ask the clerk about any differences. 

If Gist explained to Green’s satisfaction, video of the meeting doesn’t reflect it. 

The December veto was of a reapportionment vote; this month’s was the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with GAEDA. 

Mayor Jacques Roy declined to attend the committee session, according to Larvadain, because he views the override process as a council function, not an administration one. 

Larvadain asked if a veto can be taken up beyond the limit specified in the City Charter and City Code. Gist said no.

Arrests are accusations, not convictions

May 20

Mateo Deyoung Chaney, 28, Pineville – unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, parole violations, $2,000 bail;

Jenea Nichole Croom, 40, Pineville – nine counts possession of CDS, paraphernalia, obtaining CDS by fraud, use of CDS in presence of minors, $21,500 bail;

Daquavious D. Hall, 32, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery, resisting an officer, $2,000 bail;

James Benard Milner, 32, Alexandria – two counts possession of CDS, no driver’s license, possession of paraphernalia, flight from an officer, speeding, $13,200 bail;

Monty Charles Monteilh, 59, Sulphur – nonconsensual disclosure of a private image, misdemeanor sexual battery, no bail data.

May 19

Caljoneke Armstead, 26, Lecompte – unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, contempt of court, failure to appear, $2,000 bail;

Markesha Rashae Brown, 27, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery with child present, probation violation, $1,000 bail;

Tianto Clark Sr., 41, Alexandria –  three counts possession of CDS, paraphernalia, producing manufacturing distributing CDS, parole violations, $19,000 bail;

Therman Earl Davion Jr., 51, Boyce – five counts contempt of court, $125,000 bail;

Jake Desoto, 39, Marksville – OWI fourth offense, careless operation of a vehicle, safety belt violation, intentional littering, Louisiana fugitive, $200,700 bail;

Byron Keith Fay, 53, Alexandria – two counts producing manufacturing distributing CDS, cruelty to juveniles, obstruction of justice, flight from an officer, paraphernalia, $1.01 million bail;

Devontay Antonios Fennix, 30, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing CDS, possession of CDS in school zone, resisting an officer, safety belt violation, smoking in vehicle, probation violation, two counts contempt of court, $7,200 bail;

James Bradley Fisher, 43, Alexandria – theft, flight from an officer, reckless operation of a vehicle, driving under suspension/revocation, improper display vehicle license plate, three counts contempt of court, $35,600 bail;

Corey Donell Gaines, 36, Alexandria – OWI first offense, headlamps required, open container, no driver’s license, $1,300 bail;

Jesse Paul Goleman, 58, Pineville – possession of CDS, no signals, running a stop sign, $10,200 bail;

Bobby Neal Jones Jr., 42, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery strangulation, home invasion, probation violation, $50,000 bail;

Brandon Paul Lachney, 37, Ball – driving under suspension, injuring public records, resisting an officer, driver’s license not in possession, $1,700 bail;

Kendall Jermaine Leopaul, 22, Alexandria – criminal damage, contempt of court, $2,250 bail;

Eden Danielle Rossi, 37, St. Amant – two counts contempt of court, $100,000 bail;

Zachary Jason Seals Sr., 40, Dry Prong – simple burglary, criminal conspiracy, Louisiana fugitive, possession of CDS, obstruction of justice, intentional littering, criminal damage to property, unauthorized entry of inhabited dwelling, $32,000 bail;

Fredrick Eugene Warren, 30, Lecompte – contempt of court, $75,000 bail;

Jordan Rashaad Washington, 36, Alexandria – theft, possession of CDS, resisting an officer, two counts contempt of court, $6,000 bail;

Steven Dewayne West, 42, Alexandria – aggravated second degree battery, $50,000 bail;

Tina L. Whatley, 42, Alexandria – theft, running a stop sign, flight from an officer, operating a vehicle under suspension, obstruction of justice, no insurance, speeding, possession of CDS, probation violation, $44,800 bail;

James Earl Williams, 40, Alexandria – simple burglary, two counts contempt of court, $9,000 bail.

May 18

John Michael Burns, 37, Alexandria – arson (communicating false information), fake device explosives, resisting police officer with force or violence, contempt of court, $100,500 bail;

Larry Davis, 28, Marksville – aggravated battery, aggravated assault domestic abuse, probation and parole violations, $50,000 bail;

Eddie C. Jefferson Jr., 78, Pineville – second degree rape, two counts resisting an officer, contempt of court, $103,500 bail;

Darius Damon Johnson, 48, Alexandria – OWI fourth offense, improper parking, open container, driving under suspension, parole violations, $100,200 bail;

Michelle Mohler, 56, Pineville – contempt of court, resisting an officer, $25,500 bail;

Zachary Ethan Shuler, 20, Pineville – four counts attempted first degree murder, criminal conspiracy, $2.05 million bail;

Leo Brian Steele, 43, Alexandria – possession of heroin, improper bicycle operation, $1,100 bail;

Larry Wayne Tarter, 74, Alexandria – unauthorized entry into inhabited dwelling, criminal trespass, $1,500 bail;

Deshawn Gage Washington, 23, Alexandria – simple burglary, seven counts contempt of court, $19,000 bail;

William Whiddon Jr., 53, Alexandria – violation of protective orders, intimidation (nonconsensual disclosure of private image), $50,000 bail.

May 17

Andrew Marshall Daniels, 38, Pineville – OWI first offense, running a stop sign, $1,100 bail;

Kaitlyn Minnie Beatrice Gibson, 35, Ball – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, driving under suspension, no insurance, failure to appear, $2,800 bail;

Kenneth Mead Moran III, 38, Ball – domestic abuse battery strangulation, parole violations, $25,000 bail;

Johnta Patterson, 32, Alexandria – aggravated assault domestic abuse, $25,000 bail;

Buck Nathaniel Stafford, 27, Alexandria – three counts contempt of court, $21,000 bail.

A million-dollar utility infrastructure loan for a Rapides Parish town is on the agenda for the State Bond Commission’s Thursday morning meeting.

The commission will convene at 8 a.m. in Senate Committee Room A-B at the State Capitol to consider local financing requests, including a major sewer consolidation effort in the Town of Woodworth.

Woodworth officials are seeking final approval to issue up to $1.1 million in utility revenue bonds. The proposed financing carries a low interest rate capped at 0.5% with a maturity term not to exceed 20 years.

The borrowed funds are designated for the design, acquisition, construction, renovation and equipping of improvements tied to the town’s water sector sewer consolidation project.

When you hear ‘Peach Festival’, you may picture baskets of fuzzy peaches, maybe a peach cobbler bake-off, or even a parade. But here in Ruston, the Louisiana Peach Festival is so much more than just a celebration of our locally grown fruit. It is a time to experience the rich tradition and culture that can only be found in our small historic town. Residents and visitors alike come for this special day, filled with activities that keep people coming back year to year. This year’s Peach Festival in Ruston is Saturday, June 6.

Here are 5 ways that the Peach Festival exceeds just peach appreciation (although, we love our peaches too):

1. A Love Letter to Louisiana Culture

Area artists, vendors, musicians, and makers are the forefront of what makes this festival thrive. Browsing our curated arts market with 90+ artists of all mediums allows you to get a glimpse into the vibrant arts of our state. And you can’t miss the music! Louisiana-based musicians play on the Railroad Park Stage to ensure the spirit of the festival carries on into the night. Celebrate our Louisiana roots with us, and dive into what makes our culture so unique.

2. The Food Scene Goes Full Peach (In the Best Way Possible)

Here in Ruston, we pride ourselves on the quality and diversity of our local restaurants and food trucks. The creativity of Ruston’s culinary scene is unmatched, and the sweet peach flavor is no exception. In the week leading up to the festival, 30+ local restaurants come together for the Peach Culinary Crawl, featuring unexpected dishes, drinks, and pairings. From a peach caprese turkey melt to a pint of locally-brewed peach wheat ale, indulge your tastebuds with this staple, seasonal ingredient.

3. It Still Holds Tight to Its Sweet Southern Traditions

Of course, it would not be a southern festival without all of the classic contests and exhibits. The Peach Pageant, Peach Parade, Antique Car Show, Peach Rodeo, Peach Art Exhibit, and Cookery Contest are all ways that the community engages with the roots of the festival. These fun traditions have been happening for generations, and plan to stay for many, many more. The Ruston community continues to add to these celebrations, with sidewalk sales, a 5K race, and even a Pickleball Tournament. All these traditions keep the festival feeling like a small town gathering, keeping it close to the hearts of our residents and visitors.

4. It’s One of the Few Festivals Where You Don’t Feel Nickel-and-Dimed

The Peach Festival prides itself on having free admission, making it accessible for a Saturday full of activities. In Kids Alley, there are no paid vendors, allowing all kiddos to enjoy hands-on crafts, games, entertainment, and more festival activities. It is the perfect opportunity to bring the family out for fun that won’t break the bank. Our goal is to make the festival easy and accessible for all ages to enjoy!

5. It Feels More Like a Community Gathering Than a Carnival

No flashy rides or ferris wheels here – the Peach Festival provides something even more memorable. Surrounded by the painted murals of downtown, local organizations, and all the friendly volunteers, it’s easy to feel like a part of the Ruston community that we know and love. With festivities happening from morning to late into the night, you have plenty of time to experience the festival at your own pace. So bring out your lawn chair, grab a bite, listen to the music, and enjoy all the sights and sounds of our community. 

The traditions, culture, and hospitality surrounding this celebration reminds us that this isn’t just a festival, but a signature kind of Southern experience you don’t find everywhere. The peach flavor is just the tip of the iceberg to all of the sweetness of peach season in Ruston, LA. 

For more information on the 76th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival and to see the full schedule of events, visit www.lapeachfest.com/. 

Is there a place in your home or office that looks like the picture above? Is your multistrip, multitasking more than it’s designed for? Does your extension cord have an extension cord plugged into it?

While it may sound like the intro to a “You Might be a Redneck” monologue, unfortunately, the answer is more commonly yes to many of those scenarios.

May is National Electrical Safety Month, and Cleco is offering tips on how to avoid electrical hazards which can cause fatalities, injuries and property loss.  By taking simple precautions, you can avoid dangerous situations and stay safe, not just in May, but year round.

Tips to keep homes and businesses safe from electrical hazards:

• Have electrical work performed by qualified electricians.
• When a fuse operates or circuit breaker trips, determine the reason before replacing or resetting.
• Avoid placing cords in places where they can be damaged or pinched by furniture, such as under rugs or across doorways.  Cords that are frayed or damaged should be removed and replaced immediately, not spliced or taped.
• Minimize the use of extension cords and never plug two extension cords together.
• Inspect all electrical appliances before using them to ensure they’re properly grounded.
• Remember that water and electricity do not mix.
• Don’t let children climb trees near power lines.
• Avoid overhead and underground power lines when you use a ladder, work on the roof, clean a pool, prune trees or dig in the yard.
• Never touch a downed power line or anything in contact with it.  Keep away and call Cleco or 911.

For more safety tips, visit www.cleco.com and follow Cleco on Facebook at @ClecoPower

Today’s kids are booked, busy, and burned out—but one parent is asking if it’s time to bring back a simpler, slower kind of childhood.

 See what Ida says 

By JIM BUTLER 

Voters saying no in Saturday’s balloting likely sent a shudder through government hereabouts. 

Those choosing to take the time to vote in Rapides rejected five proposed constitutional amendments and four of six property tax proposals, according to unofficial totals. 

Parties sifting through the tea leaves are left to wonder whether voters are overtaxed by the economy (no pun intended) or just didn’t like what was proposed. 

Officials have a month to address the question. 

Among ballot measures June 27: 

The sheriff’s Law Enforcement District renewal of a tax, beginning in 2030, that will provide more than $11 million annually for 15 years to fund the Sheriff’s Office. 

Public safety levies had heretofore been considered sacrosanct, but Saturday’s rejection of three fire protection proposals calls that into question. 

Then there are school taxes. 

A parishwide millage generating about $14.3 million is up for renewal on the June ballot. 

And there are renewal millages requested in Consolidated District 62 (Wards 1 & 8), Pineville District 52 and Poland District 55.

By Journal Staff

Rapides Parish voters elected a mayor, settled multiple highly contested municipal council races, and decided the future of several key infrastructure and emergency service property taxes on Saturday.

In Pineville, incumbent leadership secured a decisive victory, while voters across the parish’s rural districts delivered mixed results on a slate of fire protection and road tax renewals and millage adjustments.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting late Saturday night, here is a breakdown of how the ballots fell:

City of Pineville Municipal Elections

Mayor

Joseph “Joe” Bishop won reelection in a landslide, capturing 74% of the vote in a three-way race to avoid a runoff.

Council Member — District 1

“Greg” Aaron secured the District 1 seat outright, finishing with 57% of the total vote.

Council Member — District 3

Hugh Halle claimed victory in District 3, defeating Peter Ford with a commanding 68% of the vote.

Council Member — District 4

John Marcase easily retained his seat in District 4, pulling in 73% of the vote against challenger Celeste Mobley.

Council Member — District 5

The race for District 5 is headed to a runoff. Mark A. Mertens led the field with 43% of the vote and will face Samantha Stanley, who secured 33%, in the upcoming general election.

Village of Creola

Aldermen

In the multi-parish race for Creola alderman, Bliss Wise won the seat over Crystal Hicks with 63% of the vote.

Parish Propositions and Millages

Property owners across various parish segments voted on critical infrastructure and emergency service propositions, rejecting several new millage definitions while comfortably renewing existing funding streams.

Fire Protection District Measures

Voters flatly rejected a pair of “in-lieu” millage proposals for Fire Protection District No. 2 and its sub-service area. In District 19, a continuation failed by a razor-thin margin of just one vote. However, traditional renewals for Districts 4 and 7 passed by wide margins.

• Fire Protection District No. 2 (20 Mills In-Lieu): FAILED. Property owners rejected the 10-year millage adjust, with 56% voting against the measure.

• Service Area No. 1, Fire District No. 2 (25 Mills In-Lieu): FAILED. The sub-district tax was defeated, receiving 52% “No” votes.

• Fire Protection District No. 4 (15.34 Mills Renewal): PASSED. Voters strongly approved the 10-year operational renewal with 69% in favor.

• Fire Protection District No. 7 (14.26 Mills Renewal): PASSED. The 10-year renewal passed easily, securing 67% of the vote.

• Fire Protection District No. 19 (26.48 Mills Continuation): FAILED. In a remarkable cliffhanger, the 10-year continuation failed by a single vote, 45 to 44.

Road District No. 2C

Property owners rejected a steep 54.49-mill renewal intended for public road and bridge maintenance across the district, with 55% of voters casting ballots against the measure.

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

NEWTON SQUARE, Pa. – Sam Burns made another run at the lead in a major championship on Saturday at the PGA Championship but couldn’t sustain the surge, and finished at even par for the tournament Sunday in a tie for 26^th in golf’s second major of the year.

The Choudrant resident rang up four straight birdies in the middle of the back nine early Saturday afternoon and charged to 5-under-par on the day, 3-under for the tournament, one shot off the pace going to the 17^th tee.

The birdie string on holes 13-16 was highlighted by putts of 12 and 23 feet on 14 and 15, then an excellent pitch from a sand trap 57 feet from the pin to three feet for the fourth birdie in a row.

But the 17^th was a stumbling block for Burns three times in his four rounds at Aronimink Golf Club. The par-3 was the fifth toughest hole of the week and Burns bogied it in all but Round 2.

He wrapped up with another bogey at the 18^th and settled for a very commendable 3-under 67. That left him five shots behind the lead entering the final round, and he wasn’t able to move into contention on Sunday.

Burns, 29, finished with a 1-over 71. He double bogeyed the fourth hole but recovered with birdies on the sixth and ninth to head into the back nine even for the day. A bogey on 10^th was balanced by a two-putt birdie on the par-5 16^th from 57 feet, but the 17^th bit Burns again, with a rare three-putt.

The Shreveport native, a two-time All-American at LSU, opened with rounds of 70-72 to comfortably make the cut in his eighth consecutive major championship.

His 26^th place tie earned a $125,523 paycheck. Englishman Aaron Rai won a $3.7 million winner’s purse by shooting 9-under par with a closing 5-under 65.

Burns, who plays out of Squire Creek Country Club in Choudrant, will take a week’s break and is expected to tee it up again in Fort Worth at storied Colonial Country Club May 28-31, where he won the 2022 event at 9-under after taking a playoff with Scottie Scheffler.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

May 17

Andrew Marshall Daniels, 38, Pineville – OWI first offense, running a stop sign, $1,100 bail;

Buck Nathaniel Stafford, 27, Alexandria – three counts contempt of court, $21,000 bail.

May 16

Ronnie Banks, 72, DeQuincy – OWI first offense, $1,000 bail;

Austin Chapman, 27, Ville Platte – OWI first offense, switch MVI, speeding, improper window tint, $1,300 bail;

Gary Dewayne Gonzales Jr., 51, Pineville – second degree battery, unauthorized entry into place of business, second degree kidnapping, no bail data;

Jeremiah Cortez Johnson, 28, Alexandria – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, three counts contempt of court, $16,100 bail;

Clandarius Means, 20, Alexandria – battery of a dating partner, criminal damage, $1,750 bail;

Nicholas Gage Navarre, 17, Pineville – two counts producing manufacturing distributing CDS, no bail data;

Jakhari Joshua Rax, 31, Harvey – domestic abuse battery, criminal damage to property, simple burglary, contempt of court, $5,500 bail;

Zachary Vascocu, 23, Boyce – OWI second offense, speeding, open container, $1,700 bail.

May 15

Sundrea Denae Campbell, 29, Pineville – two counts simple burglary, possession of CDS, paraphernalia, probation violation, $26,500 bail;

Patrick Cooke, 46, Pineville – three counts possession of CDS, driving under suspension, probation violation, $4,600 bail;

Milderick Jamal Detin, 36, Cheneyville – theft of a motor vehicle, parole violations, no bail data;

Marckeeyse Kentrell Dorsey, 24, Alexandria – producing manufacturing marijuana, second degree battery, parole violations, $150,000 bail;

Zykeyland Johnson, 25, Mansfield – taking contraband to and from penal institutions, simple battery, $10,000 bail;

Rickie Ray Jones, 43, Opelousas – simple burglary, criminal damage to property, $10,500 bail;

Adrian Dewayne Marks Jr., 31, Alexandria – possession of CDS, safety belt violation, two counts contempt of court, $6,100 bail;

Dyson Lynn Marron, 21, Pineville – criminal damage to property, no bail data;

Jed Rushing Sr., 59, Alexandria – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, $2,000 bail;

Johnathan Dewayne Sherman, 32, Alexandria – possession of marijuana, three counts possession of CDS, paraphernalia, driving under suspension, safety belt violation, switched license plate, failure to secure registration, $6,300 bail;

Matthew Lavelle Smith, 40, Alexandria – five counts fraudulent access to device, criminal conspiracy, two counts contempt of court, $150,000 bail;

Robert Durmon Smith Jr., 27, Pineville – aggravated battery second degree, second degree battery, discharging firearms, two counts possession of firearm by convicted felon, two counts illegal possession of stolen firearms, parole violations, $1,000 bail;

Krista Michelle Wilkinson, 33, N/A – two counts contempt of court, $100,000 bail;

Nakeita L. Williams, 37, Alexandria – aggravated second degree battery, contempt of court, probation violation, $52,500 bail;

Ladarrian Damon Young, 28, Alexandria – careless operation of a vehicle, criminal conspiracy, producing manufacturing distributing CDS, paraphernalia, intentional littering, parole violations, $210,000 bail.

May 14

Ryan Cody Bladel, 38, Pollock – aggravated battery, failure to appear, probation violation, $10,000 bail;

Essence Noelle Ceasar, 24, Alexandria – burglary of an inhabited dwelling, $3,500 bail;

Quinton Anthony Dick, 23, Alexandria – manufacture transfer or possession of machine gun, possession of firearm by convicted felon, possession of marijuana, probation violation, $30,500 bail;

Tra’veon Melik Dotson, 17, Alexandria – burglary of an inhabited dwelling, $3,500 bail;

Matt Eric Harmson, 56, Deville – criminal trespass, criminal damage to property, theft, three counts contempt of court, $41,500 bail;

Angela Deonne Howard, 39, Alexandria – theft, three counts contempt of court, $60,500 bail;

Nelson Lee Johnson, 77, Alexandria – sex offender failure to register, driving under suspension, switched license plate, parole violations, $10,200 bail;

Dewayne Lavalais, 36, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing CDS, possession of marijuana, driving under suspension, tail lamps, use of CDS in presence of minors, $3,700 bail;

Michael Dewayne Nelson, 52, Alexandria – battery on a police officer, threatening a public official, disturbing the peace, $1,500 bail;

Robert S Paul, 42, Deville – theft, criminal trespass, criminal damage to property, $6,000 bail;

Jessica Lynn Simmons, 38, Pineville – OWI first offense, driving under suspension, no insurance, two counts running a stop sign, $2,800 bail;

Raymond Deshunna Thomas Jr., 30, Alexandria – second degree rape, indecent behavior with juveniles, contributing to delinquency of juveniles, false imprisonment, $5 million bail;

Rayanne Elizabeth Vicknair, 28, Pineville – contempt of court, $75,000 bail;

Korion D’aquan Williams, 21, Alexandria – possession of firearm by convicted felon, Louisiana fugitive, $100,000 bail.

May 13

Yahmir Beaudion, 19, Alexandria – battery on officer, resisting an officer, possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, $2,000 bail;

Eric Bell, 20, Alexandria – manufacture, transfer, possession of machine gun, possession of firearm by convicted felon, possession of marijuana, probation violation, $30,500 bail;

Javier Arkuis Brown, 35, N/A – aggravated resisting police officer with force or violence, second degree battery, aggravated second degree battery, simple battery, obscenity, $21,000 bail;

Robert Louis Dotson, 57, Alexandria – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, resisting an officer, probation violation, $3,500 bail;

Braydon Michael Flores, 23, Marksville – hit and run (result in death/serious injury, careless operation of vehicle, false imprisonment, no vehicle registration, driver’s license not in possession, negligent injuring, flight from an officer, $176,300 bail;

Arthur J Frazier Jr., 34, Alexandria – aggravated strangulation domestic abuse battery, $10,000 bail;

Roger Ronald Hall II, 42, Pineville – three counts producing manufacturing distributing CDS, producing manufacturing distributing fentanyl, possession of paraphernalia, resisting an officer, $9,500 bail;

Michael Joseph Johns, 36, Pineville – obstruction of justice, possession of drug paraphernalia, flight from an officer, Louisiana fugitive, hand signal lamps, $1,100 bail;

Markas C McMahan, 31, Pineville – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, resisting an officer, contempt of court, $7,500 bail;

Jaylan Alexander Rye, 31, Alexandria – three counts contempt of court, $30,000 bail;

 Kevin Dewayne Slaughter, 44, Alexandria – possession of fentanyl, two counts possession of CDS, contempt of court, $8,000 bail;

Shattoca Quantai Varra, 34, Alexandria – seven counts contempt of court, $87,500 bail.

By JIM BUTLER 

Like the fabled bad penny GAEDA keeps popping up. 

Noted developer and community enthusiast Rod Noles has resigned from the economic development agency board less than two months after his appointment. 

District 5 City Council member Chuck Fowler confirmed Thursday that Noles packed it in on May 4. 

According to his notice, GAEDA doesn’t meet Noles’ goals. 

“In my continuing search for how I can best add value to the quality of life in our community I have determined GAEDA board is not a good fit,” Noles told Fowler in his resignation missive. 

Each City Council member has an at-will appointment to the board. The resignation creates two openings – Fowler’s and Lizzie Felter’s District 4 nod. 

Two attempts at holding its April meeting failed due to the board’s lack of a quorum. Its next scheduled meeting is Tuesday. 

The appointment of Noles, with extensive economic development experience, was hailed by some as a major step for the agency. 

For whatever reasons it wasn’t. 

Noles had nothing to add to his notice when reached Thursday evening. 

GAEDA is on the City Council’s agenda Tuesday when a $260,000 bid for the Weiss & Goldring building safety demolition is up adoption. 

The building is at the center of a dispute between the administration, which favors renovation and reuse, and a council and GAEDA majority which says enough with it, time to turn attention elsewhere. 

That desire was focal point of an agreement recession ordinance veroed by Mayor Jacques Roy and sustained when an override move was left off the council agenda last week. 

The council Legal Committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon for a discussion of the veto process with the administration. 

The process is enumerated in the city’s Home Rule Charter.

The Alexandria Garden Club, celebrating its 101st year, has awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Harrison Lord, a recent graduate of Alexandria Senior High. 

Lord will attend Mississippi State University majoring in Landscape Architecture. 

He was an honor student at ASH, team captain of the Soccer Club and a finalist in the B.A.S.S. La. High School Bass Fishing championship. He is the son of Adam and Megan Lord.

BOM Receives USDA Rural Lender of the Year for the Fifth Time!

USDA updates lender list for rural guaranteed loan program

Dear Fellow Citizens, 

I’m John Fleming, your State Treasurer and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate.

This Saturday’s election is extremely important. DC lobbyists and Baton Rouge elites have poured millions into supporting their preferred candidate — NOT ME. 

At stake is the carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) industry’s push to use YOUR tax dollars to seize YOUR private land through eminent domain.  Estimates suggest that up to 75% of the nation’s CO2 emissions could be pumped beneath our lands, lakes, and rivers – ‘captured’ for eternity. The whole thing is a “Green New Deal” scam, which will make the elites wealthier at the expense of the rest of us.  I am the only candidate who is 100% opposed to this fraud and abuse.  

Don’t be fooled! The establishment and powers that be are trying to buy our Louisiana Senate seat. I can’t be bought, bribed, or bullied! 

Our future, and the future of our children and grandchildren, hangs in the balance. Please don’t sit this one out — vote this Saturday, May 16th.   Polls open at 7:00 a.m. 

Thank you,

John Fleming
Louisiana State Treasurer
Republican Candidate for the US Senate 

Paid Content

The only thing worse than track is field.

A folksy and venerable Texas football publicity man – Jones Ramsey (don’t you love the name?) – uttered that line many decades ago. Jones (or Mr. Ramsey, if you prefer) was Darrell Royal’s PR man back when the Longhorns were really hookin’ ‘em in the 1960s, and hung in there until 1982.

He had made the unthinkable move 105 miles west from College Station to Austin. Before UT, he was Bear Bryant’s guy at Texas A&M. Think Jones didn’t have stories piled up like post oak outside the best Texas barbeque joints?

Ole Jones was a bit of a one-track mind when it came to sports, mostly because back in the day, so were Texans. Aggies, Longhorns, Frogs, Mustangs, Bears, Red Raiders – the Southwestern Conference existed for one reason and one reason only.

Said Jones: “The only sports in Texas are football, and spring football.”

Here we are a lifetime later, and football still is king, not only in the Lone Star State, but in most of the U-S-and-A. It certainly is when the college sports leaders bat around the present and future. As lucrative as March Madness is, it’s football that will be the deal maker when the inevitable Great Divide unfolds and the Haves split away from the Wannabees and the Have Nots in the next few years.

Let me offer a quick solution – the NIL Division and the College Division. The first is for college franchises that truly can afford to pay their student-athletes (believe it or not, they all do take classes and maintain decent GPAs), can pay them handsomely and not consider the twisted rationale that students are making more than faculty and staff, and nearly all of their coaches, for spending time on campus. The majority of the colleges, who truly cannot sustain paying their competitors tens of thousands, if not six figures (and that’s standard for some in every Division I conference in the country), don’t. No more.

Either a player is good enough to fit into the Bankroll Division or not. If not, in the College Division they get free or discounted education and still a lot of perks and great experiences as college athletes. And the budgets of the Wannabees and Have Nots are a lot more appropriate, while alumni and supporters don’t have to pony up to rent a player for a year before the player gets a better deal and departs.

Solved. Now, to the intended point of today’s effort.

Track and field is cool. Sorry Mr. Ramsey. Irony of ironies, one of college track’s greatest competitions every spring is the Texas Relays, named for the Horns’ legendary coach, Clyde Littlefield. I suspect Clyde and Jones did not have coffee together.

Aside from the Olympic Trials and the NCAA Championships, there’s not a meet involving college athletes and blending in some elite competitors that can outshine the Texas Relays year after year.

You may never make it to that meet. You probably haven’t made it to any track meet. Too bad.

We have a bunch every spring in the high school ranks around here. The just-completed LHSAA championships once again were a showcase for some of the superior talent in Cenla: the ASH girls won the Class 5A team championship, and Rapides Parish competitors claimed 10 state event titles. Trojans’ discus man Joseph Carter Rivet, a junior, ranks among the best in the country and defended his state crown.

But it’s not just the champs. It’s not even just the top-notch athletes who finished in the top three at their regional meets and qualified to travel to Baton Rouge for last weekend’s festivities.

Track is cool.

What other sport can give you the other athletes in a given event clapping and cheering for their competition?

It happens on the reg in track. Especially in the field events – throwing, jumping, vaulting.

Because those athletes are not competing against each other as much as they are competing against themselves, and the clock or tape measure. It’s pure sport. It’s trying to be better than before – and there’s absolutely a quantitative measure for evaluation.

There were lots of great marks recorded, despite heavy rains, last Friday and Saturday at the LHSAA meet.  Here’s a snapshot that captures the essence of the sport:

Parkway junior Brennan Robin running faster than a 44-year-old all classes record in the 1600 meters – by over six seconds – was near the top of spectacular efforts. But he was runner-up to Jesuit’s Connor Fanburg, who rallied past Robin on the final lap and won by a second – a fantastic race with perhaps the two best distance runners this state has seen in many years.

Robin wasn’t bummed. He was proud – of his race and of Fanburg’s too. How did he deal? He tossed his cookies, took a swig of Gatorade, and won the 3200 meters later that night.

A shining moment in state sports history was eclipsed this weekend. In 1980, “Rocket” Rod Richardson of now defunct Fair Park in Shreveport won the 100 dash in 10.20. Nobody had done it faster until Brother Martin junior Easton Royal blazed across in 10.17 Saturday night.

One last dose of irony, and this would make Jones Ramsey smile. Easton Royal is committed to the Texas Longhorns.

For football.

But track is still cool.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

NEWTON SQUARE, Pa.  –  Sam Burns opened the 108^th PGA Championship Thursday with an even-par round, despite making three birdies, and is within three shots of the Day 1 lead at golf’s second major championship of the year.

But there are lots of players between the former LSU All-American and the seven who are bunched at the top of the leaderboard entering today’s second round at Aronimink Golf Club. Burns sits in a tie for 34^th and tees off today at noon CDT with his playing partners, Jason Day (-1) and Gary Woodland (+2).

Among the co-leaders are defending champion Scottie Scheffler and 2010 winner Martin Kaymer.

Burns had a mediocre day – especially for him, after leading the PGA Tour in putting last year – on the greens, ranking 61^st in the field, needing 31 putts. His 1.9 strokes in the approach-to-the-green stat ranked him 18^th among all players Thursday. He was 107^th in driving accuracy after hitting just half the fairways, and 100^th in average driving distance (305.7 yards) although he cranked the third-longest drive of the day, 370 yards.

The 29-year-old Choudrant resident built his even-par score by hitting 72 percent of the greens in regulation, 19^th-best in the field.

Burns birdied his seventh hole, the par-5 16^th, with an 8-foot putt but missed an 8-footer on the next green, the tough par-3 17^th, to drop back to even par.

After making the turn to holes 1-9, the Shreveport native birdied the par-4 first with a 5-footer, then drained a 28-footer on the par-4 fourth hole to get to 2-under in mid-morning. But bogies on his 16^th and 17^th holes, Nos. 7-8, brought him back to even for the day. His 20-foot par-putt on 7 lipped out, and he missed the green on the par-3 8^th hole and couldn’t save par.

Television coverage of Burns today will be on ESPN, which is on air beginning at 11 CDT. Weekend coverage is on ESPN in the mornings for the final two rounds. CBS has the contenders playing in its broadcast window from noon-6 Saturday and Sunday.